The World needs more Canada

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This was a painting that I created to be auctioned off to support The Limestone Foundation's celebration of Canada's 150th year anniversary. I called the piece, The World needs more Canada, because I believe that we live in the best country in the world, and I think that we should set the example of how to live in harmony - with one another, with other countries and with nature. To showcase this concept, I chose to paint the lighthouse that defines a cultural landmark: Peggy's Cove. To me, while we do not have a Statue of Liberty to welcome new immigrants to our country, it is our rugged and stunning geography that embraces them. I decided to depict the scene as a wintery landscape, because this is my favourite season, and because I think that the ability to live in frigid temperatures defines Canadians to others around the world. I wanted to also light the sky in two different ways to showcase harmony: the lighthouse, sunset and orange hues providing hope to people, whereas the left is defined by the moon and relative darkness. True harmony happens when we embrace both. I also chose to paint the bright red sky with linear deeper strokes as a salute to the analytical thinkers who move Canadian society forward in technology and science. The moon scenery is softer and was created by circular strokes, as a nod to the creative people who define our country's arts and culture. In the middle of the sky I decided to blend blues and yellows to create green. This colour was very important because as I was finishing the painting, we heard of the untimely passing of a Canadian icon: Gord Downie. I hope that his voice will be forever be singing in Fiddler's Green.